Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction: NBA Odds & Preview for Friday

The Boston Celtics will welcome the defending NBA champions, the New York Knicks, for their first home game of the season at 7 p.m. ET on Friday at TD Garden in Boston, on Prime Video.

See my Knicks vs. Celtics prediction based on the latest NBA odds:

Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction: Friday, Oct. 23

• Karl-Anthony Towns over 10.5 rebounds

Although BetMGM hasn’t yet posted player prop markets for the Knicks vs. Celtics game on Friday, I’m still interested in Karl-Anthony Towns’ rebound production, especially if it’s listed at 10.5.

Towns grabbed 12 rebounds in his first game of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers and fellow All-Star Joel Embiid.

Now, he’s going up against former Knicks teammate Mitchell Robinson, who is now Boston’s starting center after signing with them last offseason, and backup center Neemias Queta.

With the depleted frontcourt of the Celtics this season, I think KAT will be able to thrive on the rebounding battle against them, especially after Robinson and Queta only combined for seven rebounds against the Detroit Pistons in their opening game.

Towns has averaged 10.8 rebounds against the Celtics in his last five games against them and 12.4 rebounds in his career against the 18-time NBA champions.

Furthermore, Towns has averaged 11.9 rebounds per contest last season, so I expect him to have the same production this season, particularly against the new-look Boston team with Jayson Tatum and Paul George as its two main stars.

I like his chances of going over 10 rebounds for my Knicks vs. Celtics pick.

Prediction: Karl-Anthony Towns over 10.5 rebounds

Knicks vs. Celtics Odds for Oct. 23

• Knicks spread: -3.5
• Celtics spread: +3.5
• Total: 224.5